diff --git a/scenes/profile_ui.tscn b/scenes/profile_ui.tscn
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..ac3e6b3
--- /dev/null
+++ b/scenes/profile_ui.tscn
@@ -0,0 +1,215 @@
+[gd_scene load_steps=2 format=3]
+
+[ext_resource type="Script" path="res://scripts/profile_ui.gd" id="1_pu"]
+
+[node name="ProfileUI" type="Control"]
+layout_mode = 3
+anchors_preset = 15
+anchor_right = 1.0
+anchor_bottom = 1.0
+grow_horizontal = 2
+grow_vertical = 2
+script = ExtResource("1_pu")
+
+[node name="VBoxContainer" type="VBoxContainer" parent="."]
+layout_mode = 1
+anchors_preset = 15
+anchor_right = 1.0
+anchor_bottom = 1.0
+offset_left = 32.0
+offset_top = 32.0
+offset_right = -32.0
+offset_bottom = -32.0
+grow_horizontal = 2
+grow_vertical = 2
+theme_override_constants/separation = 12
+
+[node name="HeaderHBox" type="HBoxContainer" parent="VBoxContainer"]
+layout_mode = 2
+theme_override_constants/separation = 16
+
+[node name="BackButton" type="Button" parent="VBoxContainer/HeaderHBox"]
+custom_minimum_size = Vector2(100, 36)
+layout_mode = 2
+text = "< Back"
+
+[node name="TitleLabel" type="Label" parent="VBoxContainer/HeaderHBox"]
+layout_mode = 2
+size_flags_horizontal = 3
+theme_override_font_sizes/font_size = 26
+text = "Profile"
+horizontal_alignment = 1
+
+[node name="RefreshButton" type="Button" parent="VBoxContainer/HeaderHBox"]
+custom_minimum_size = Vector2(100, 36)
+layout_mode = 2
+text = "Refresh"
+
+[node name="LookupHBox" type="HBoxContainer" parent="VBoxContainer"]
+layout_mode = 2
+theme_override_constants/separation = 8
+
+[node name="LookupPrefix" type="Label" parent="VBoxContainer/LookupHBox"]
+layout_mode = 2
+text = "Lookup User ID:"
+
+[node name="UserIdEdit" type="LineEdit" parent="VBoxContainer/LookupHBox"]
+custom_minimum_size = Vector2(120, 32)
+layout_mode = 2
+placeholder_text = "e.g. 2"
+
+[node name="ViewUserButton" type="Button" parent="VBoxContainer/LookupHBox"]
+custom_minimum_size = Vector2(100, 32)
+layout_mode = 2
+text = "View"
+
+[node name="Spacer" type="Control" parent="VBoxContainer/LookupHBox"]
+layout_mode = 2
+size_flags_horizontal = 3
+
+[node name="ViewMyProfileButton" type="Button" parent="VBoxContainer/LookupHBox"]
+custom_minimum_size = Vector2(140, 32)
+layout_mode = 2
+text = "My Own Profile"
+
+[node name="StatusMessageLabel" type="Label" parent="VBoxContainer"]
+layout_mode = 2
+horizontal_alignment = 1
+
+[node name="Scroll" type="ScrollContainer" parent="VBoxContainer"]
+layout_mode = 2
+size_flags_vertical = 3
+
+[node name="ContentVBox" type="VBoxContainer" parent="VBoxContainer/Scroll"]
+layout_mode = 2
+size_flags_horizontal = 3
+theme_override_constants/separation = 16
+
+[node name="CardPanel" type="PanelContainer" parent="VBoxContainer/Scroll/ContentVBox"]
+layout_mode = 2
+
+[node name="Margin" type="MarginContainer" parent="VBoxContainer/Scroll/ContentVBox/CardPanel"]
+layout_mode = 2
+theme_override_constants/margin_left = 16
+theme_override_constants/margin_top = 16
+theme_override_constants/margin_right = 16
+theme_override_constants/margin_bottom = 16
+
+[node name="HBox" type="HBoxContainer" parent="VBoxContainer/Scroll/ContentVBox/CardPanel/Margin"]
+layout_mode = 2
+theme_override_constants/separation = 20
+
+[node name="AvatarBox" type="VBoxContainer" parent="VBoxContainer/Scroll/ContentVBox/CardPanel/Margin/HBox"]
+custom_minimum_size = Vector2(120, 120)
+layout_mode = 2
+alignment = 1
+
+[node name="AvatarLabel" type="Label" parent="VBoxContainer/Scroll/ContentVBox/CardPanel/Margin/HBox/AvatarBox"]
+layout_mode = 2
+text = "Avatar"
+horizontal_alignment = 1
+
+[node name="DetailsVBox" type="VBoxContainer" parent="VBoxContainer/Scroll/ContentVBox/CardPanel/Margin/HBox"]
+layout_mode = 2
+size_flags_horizontal = 3
+theme_override_constants/separation = 6
+
+[node name="UsernameLabel" type="Label" parent="VBoxContainer/Scroll/ContentVBox/CardPanel/Margin/HBox/DetailsVBox"]
+layout_mode = 2
+theme_override_font_sizes/font_size = 22
+text = "Username"
+
+[node name="UserIdLabel" type="Label" parent="VBoxContainer/Scroll/ContentVBox/CardPanel/Margin/HBox/DetailsVBox"]
+layout_mode = 2
+text = "User ID: --"
+
+[node name="BioPrompt" type="Label" parent="VBoxContainer/Scroll/ContentVBox/CardPanel/Margin/HBox/DetailsVBox"]
+layout_mode = 2
+text = "Bio:"
+
+[node name="BioEdit" type="TextEdit" parent="VBoxContainer/Scroll/ContentVBox/CardPanel/Margin/HBox/DetailsVBox"]
+custom_minimum_size = Vector2(0, 80)
+layout_mode = 2
+placeholder_text = "Tell the world about yourself..."
+
+[node name="SaveBioButton" type="Button" parent="VBoxContainer/Scroll/ContentVBox/CardPanel/Margin/HBox/DetailsVBox"]
+custom_minimum_size = Vector2(100, 32)
+layout_mode = 2
+size_flags_horizontal = 0
+text = "Save Bio"
+
+[node name="PrivacyVBox" type="VBoxContainer" parent="VBoxContainer/Scroll/ContentVBox"]
+layout_mode = 2
+theme_override_constants/separation = 8
+
+[node name="PrivacyHeader" type="Label" parent="VBoxContainer/Scroll/ContentVBox/PrivacyVBox"]
+layout_mode = 2
+theme_override_font_sizes/font_size = 18
+text = "Privacy Settings"
+
+[node name="Grid" type="GridContainer" parent="VBoxContainer/Scroll/ContentVBox/PrivacyVBox"]
+layout_mode = 2
+columns = 2
+theme_override_constants/h_separation = 16
+theme_override_constants/v_separation = 8
+
+[node name="ProfileVisLabel" type="Label" parent="VBoxContainer/Scroll/ContentVBox/PrivacyVBox/Grid"]
+layout_mode = 2
+text = "Profile Visibility:"
+
+[node name="ProfileVisOption" type="OptionButton" parent="VBoxContainer/Scroll/ContentVBox/PrivacyVBox/Grid"]
+layout_mode = 2
+
+[node name="FriendsVisLabel" type="Label" parent="VBoxContainer/Scroll/ContentVBox/PrivacyVBox/Grid"]
+layout_mode = 2
+text = "Friends List Visibility:"
+
+[node name="FriendsVisOption" type="OptionButton" parent="VBoxContainer/Scroll/ContentVBox/PrivacyVBox/Grid"]
+layout_mode = 2
+
+[node name="FavoritesVisLabel" type="Label" parent="VBoxContainer/Scroll/ContentVBox/PrivacyVBox/Grid"]
+layout_mode = 2
+text = "Favorites Visibility:"
+
+[node name="FavoritesVisOption" type="OptionButton" parent="VBoxContainer/Scroll/ContentVBox/PrivacyVBox/Grid"]
+layout_mode = 2
+
+[node name="SavePrivacyButton" type="Button" parent="VBoxContainer/Scroll/ContentVBox/PrivacyVBox"]
+custom_minimum_size = Vector2(140, 32)
+layout_mode = 2
+size_flags_horizontal = 0
+text = "Save Privacy"
+
+[node name="FavoritesVBox" type="VBoxContainer" parent="VBoxContainer/Scroll/ContentVBox"]
+layout_mode = 2
+theme_override_constants/separation = 8
+
+[node name="FavHeader" type="Label" parent="VBoxContainer/Scroll/ContentVBox/FavoritesVBox"]
+layout_mode = 2
+theme_override_font_sizes/font_size = 18
+text = "Favorite Experiences"
+
+[node name="FavoritesStatusLabel" type="Label" parent="VBoxContainer/Scroll/ContentVBox/FavoritesVBox"]
+layout_mode = 2
+text = "No favorite experiences yet."
+
+[node name="FavoritesList" type="VBoxContainer" parent="VBoxContainer/Scroll/ContentVBox/FavoritesVBox"]
+layout_mode = 2
+theme_override_constants/separation = 4
+
+[node name="FriendsVBox" type="VBoxContainer" parent="VBoxContainer/Scroll/ContentVBox"]
+layout_mode = 2
+theme_override_constants/separation = 8
+
+[node name="FriendsHeader" type="Label" parent="VBoxContainer/Scroll/ContentVBox/FriendsVBox"]
+layout_mode = 2
+theme_override_font_sizes/font_size = 18
+text = "Friends"
+
+[node name="FriendsStatusLabel" type="Label" parent="VBoxContainer/Scroll/ContentVBox/FriendsVBox"]
+layout_mode = 2
+text = "No friends listed."
+
+[node name="FriendsList" type="VBoxContainer" parent="VBoxContainer/Scroll/ContentVBox/FriendsVBox"]
+layout_mode = 2
+theme_override_constants/separation = 4
diff --git a/scripts/profile_ui.gd b/scripts/profile_ui.gd
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..dd55454
--- /dev/null
+++ b/scripts/profile_ui.gd
@@ -0,0 +1,312 @@
+extends Control
+class_name ProfileUI
+## Profile Page UI.
+##
+## Displays:
+## - User avatar representation, username, and bio
+## - Favorite experiences (worlds) list
+## - Public/mutual friends list
+## - Respects server-enforced privacy controls and blocked-user restricted view
+## - Allows authenticated user to edit their own bio and privacy settings
+
+signal back_requested
+
+@onready var back_button: Button = $VBoxContainer/HeaderHBox/BackButton
+@onready var title_label: Label = $VBoxContainer/HeaderHBox/TitleLabel
+@onready var refresh_button: Button = $VBoxContainer/HeaderHBox/RefreshButton
+@onready var status_label: Label = $VBoxContainer/StatusMessageLabel
+
+# Lookup controls
+@onready var user_id_edit: LineEdit = $VBoxContainer/LookupHBox/UserIdEdit
+@onready var view_user_btn: Button = $VBoxContainer/LookupHBox/ViewUserButton
+@onready var view_my_profile_btn: Button = $VBoxContainer/LookupHBox/ViewMyProfileButton
+
+# Profile Card details
+@onready var username_label: Label = $VBoxContainer/Scroll/ContentVBox/CardPanel/Margin/HBox/DetailsVBox/UsernameLabel
+@onready var user_id_label: Label = $VBoxContainer/Scroll/ContentVBox/CardPanel/Margin/HBox/DetailsVBox/UserIdLabel
+@onready var avatar_preview_label: Label = $VBoxContainer/Scroll/ContentVBox/CardPanel/Margin/HBox/AvatarBox/AvatarLabel
+@onready var bio_edit: TextEdit = $VBoxContainer/Scroll/ContentVBox/CardPanel/Margin/HBox/DetailsVBox/BioEdit
+@onready var save_bio_btn: Button = $VBoxContainer/Scroll/ContentVBox/CardPanel/Margin/HBox/DetailsVBox/SaveBioButton
+
+# Privacy Controls (visible only for own profile)
+@onready var privacy_vbox: VBoxContainer = $VBoxContainer/Scroll/ContentVBox/PrivacyVBox
+@onready var profile_vis_opt: OptionButton = $VBoxContainer/Scroll/ContentVBox/PrivacyVBox/Grid/ProfileVisOption
+@onready var friends_vis_opt: OptionButton = $VBoxContainer/Scroll/ContentVBox/PrivacyVBox/Grid/FriendsVisOption
+@onready var favorites_vis_opt: OptionButton = $VBoxContainer/Scroll/ContentVBox/PrivacyVBox/Grid/FavoritesVisOption
+@onready var save_privacy_btn: Button = $VBoxContainer/Scroll/ContentVBox/PrivacyVBox/SavePrivacyButton
+
+# Favorites list
+@onready var favorites_container: VBoxContainer = $VBoxContainer/Scroll/ContentVBox/FavoritesVBox/FavoritesList
+@onready var favorites_status_label: Label = $VBoxContainer/Scroll/ContentVBox/FavoritesVBox/FavoritesStatusLabel
+
+# Friends list
+@onready var friends_container: VBoxContainer = $VBoxContainer/Scroll/ContentVBox/FriendsVBox/FriendsList
+@onready var friends_status_label: Label = $VBoxContainer/Scroll/ContentVBox/FriendsVBox/FriendsStatusLabel
+
+var _api_client: Node = null
+var _viewing_user_id: int = 0
+var _my_user_id: int = 0
+var _is_own_profile: bool = false
+
+
+func _ready() -> void:
+	_api_client = _get_api()
+	_setup_privacy_options()
+	_wire_signals()
+
+	if _api_client != null and _api_client.has_token():
+		_init_my_profile()
+
+
+func _get_api() -> Node:
+	if has_node("/root/ApiClient"):
+		return get_node("/root/ApiClient")
+	return null
+
+
+func _setup_privacy_options() -> void:
+	var visibilities := ["public", "friends_only", "private"]
+	for opt in [profile_vis_opt, friends_vis_opt, favorites_vis_opt]:
+		if opt:
+			opt.clear()
+			for v in visibilities:
+				opt.add_item(v.capitalize())
+
+
+func _wire_signals() -> void:
+	if back_button:
+		back_button.pressed.connect(_on_back_pressed)
+	if refresh_button:
+		refresh_button.pressed.connect(_refresh_current)
+	if view_user_btn:
+		view_user_btn.pressed.connect(_on_view_user_pressed)
+	if view_my_profile_btn:
+		view_my_profile_btn.pressed.connect(_init_my_profile)
+	if save_bio_btn:
+		save_bio_btn.pressed.connect(_on_save_bio_pressed)
+	if save_privacy_btn:
+		save_privacy_btn.pressed.connect(_on_save_privacy_pressed)
+
+
+func _on_back_pressed() -> void:
+	back_requested.emit()
+	if get_tree().current_scene == self:
+		get_tree().change_scene_to_file("res://scenes/main_menu.tscn")
+
+
+func show_message(text: String, is_error: bool = false) -> void:
+	if status_label:
+		status_label.text = text
+		status_label.modulate = Color(1.0, 0.4, 0.4) if is_error else Color(0.4, 1.0, 0.4)
+
+
+func _init_my_profile() -> void:
+	if _api_client == null or not _api_client.has_token():
+		show_message("Log in to view profile.", true)
+		return
+
+	var me_res: Dictionary = await _api_client.get_me()
+	if me_res.ok and me_res.data is Dictionary:
+		_my_user_id = int(me_res.data.get("id", 0))
+		load_profile(_my_user_id, true)
+
+
+func _on_view_user_pressed() -> void:
+	var uid_str := user_id_edit.text.strip_edges()
+	if not uid_str.is_valid_int():
+		show_message("Enter a valid integer user ID.", true)
+		return
+	var uid := int(uid_str)
+	load_profile(uid, uid == _my_user_id)
+
+
+func _refresh_current() -> void:
+	if _viewing_user_id > 0:
+		load_profile(_viewing_user_id, _is_own_profile)
+
+
+## Load profile for user_id.
+func load_profile(user_id: int, is_own: bool = false) -> void:
+	_viewing_user_id = user_id
+	_is_own_profile = is_own
+
+	if _is_own_profile:
+		await _load_own_profile()
+	else:
+		await _load_public_profile(user_id)
+
+
+func _load_own_profile() -> void:
+	title_label.text = "My Profile"
+	if privacy_vbox:
+		privacy_vbox.visible = true
+	if save_bio_btn:
+		save_bio_btn.visible = true
+	if bio_edit:
+		bio_edit.editable = true
+
+	var res: Dictionary = await _api_client.get_my_profile()
+	if not res.ok:
+		show_message("Failed to load own profile: " + res.detail, true)
+		return
+
+	var data: Dictionary = res.data if res.data is Dictionary else {}
+	_populate_card(_my_user_id, "You", str(data.get("bio", "")), data.get("avatar_asset_id"))
+
+	# Privacy
+	if data.has("privacy_json") and data["privacy_json"] is Dictionary:
+		var priv: Dictionary = data["privacy_json"]
+		_set_option_val(profile_vis_opt, priv.get("profile_visibility", "public"))
+		_set_option_val(friends_vis_opt, priv.get("friends_list_visibility", "public"))
+		_set_option_val(favorites_vis_opt, priv.get("favorites_visibility", "public"))
+
+	# Load own favorites
+	var fav_res: Dictionary = await _api_client.get_my_favorites()
+	_populate_favorites(fav_res.data.get("world_ids", []) if fav_res.ok and fav_res.data is Dictionary else [])
+
+	# Load own friends
+	var fr_res: Dictionary = await _api_client.get_friends()
+	_populate_friends(fr_res.data.get("friends", []) if fr_res.ok and fr_res.data is Dictionary else [])
+
+
+func _load_public_profile(user_id: int) -> void:
+	title_label.text = "User Profile"
+	if privacy_vbox:
+		privacy_vbox.visible = false
+	if save_bio_btn:
+		save_bio_btn.visible = false
+	if bio_edit:
+		bio_edit.editable = false
+
+	var res: Dictionary = await _api_client.get_public_profile(user_id)
+	if not res.ok:
+		show_message("Failed to load profile: " + res.detail, true)
+		return
+
+	var data: Dictionary = res.data if res.data is Dictionary else {}
+	var uname: String = str(data.get("username", "User #%d" % user_id))
+	var bio: String = str(data.get("bio", "")) if data.get("bio") != null else "[Bio hidden or empty]"
+
+	_populate_card(user_id, uname, bio, data.get("avatar_asset_id"))
+
+	# Favorites
+	if data.has("favorites") and data["favorites"] != null:
+		_populate_favorites(data["favorites"])
+	else:
+		_clear_children(favorites_container)
+		if favorites_status_label:
+			favorites_status_label.text = "Favorites are hidden by privacy settings."
+			favorites_status_label.visible = true
+
+	# Friends
+	if data.has("friends") and data["friends"] != null:
+		_populate_friends(data["friends"])
+	else:
+		_clear_children(friends_container)
+		if friends_status_label:
+			friends_status_label.text = "Friends list is hidden by privacy settings."
+			friends_status_label.visible = true
+
+
+func _populate_card(uid: int, uname: String, bio: String, avatar_asset_id: Variant) -> void:
+	if username_label:
+		username_label.text = uname
+	if user_id_label:
+		user_id_label.text = "User ID: %d" % uid
+	if bio_edit:
+		bio_edit.text = bio
+	if avatar_preview_label:
+		avatar_preview_label.text = "Avatar #%s" % str(avatar_asset_id) if avatar_asset_id != null else "Default Avatar"
+
+
+func _populate_favorites(favorites: Array) -> void:
+	_clear_children(favorites_container)
+	if favorites_status_label:
+		favorites_status_label.visible = favorites.is_empty()
+		if favorites.is_empty():
+			favorites_status_label.text = "No favorite experiences yet."
+
+	for item in favorites:
+		var hbox := HBoxContainer.new()
+		hbox.add_theme_constant_override("separation", 8)
+		var lbl := Label.new()
+		if item is Dictionary:
+			lbl.text = "★ %s (World #%s)" % [str(item.get("name", "World")), str(item.get("id", ""))]
+		else:
+			lbl.text = "★ World #%s" % str(item)
+		hbox.add_child(lbl)
+		favorites_container.add_child(hbox)
+
+
+func _populate_friends(friends: Array) -> void:
+	_clear_children(friends_container)
+	if friends_status_label:
+		friends_status_label.visible = friends.is_empty()
+		if friends.is_empty():
+			friends_status_label.text = "No friends listed."
+
+	for friend in friends:
+		var hbox := HBoxContainer.new()
+		hbox.add_theme_constant_override("separation", 8)
+		var lbl := Label.new()
+		if friend is Dictionary:
+			var fid: int = int(friend.get("id", 0))
+			var fname: String = str(friend.get("username", "User"))
+			lbl.text = "👤 %s (ID: %d)" % [fname, fid]
+			hbox.add_child(lbl)
+			var view_btn := Button.new()
+			view_btn.text = "View"
+			view_btn.pressed.connect(func(): load_profile(fid, fid == _my_user_id))
+			hbox.add_child(view_btn)
+		else:
+			lbl.text = "👤 User #%s" % str(friend)
+			hbox.add_child(lbl)
+		friends_container.add_child(hbox)
+
+
+func _on_save_bio_pressed() -> void:
+	if _api_client == null or not _is_own_profile:
+		return
+	var new_bio := bio_edit.text.strip_edges() if bio_edit else ""
+	var res: Dictionary = await _api_client.update_my_profile(new_bio)
+	if res.ok:
+		show_message("Bio updated successfully!")
+	else:
+		show_message("Failed to update bio: " + res.detail, true)
+
+
+func _on_save_privacy_pressed() -> void:
+	if _api_client == null or not _is_own_profile:
+		return
+	var privacy := {
+		"profile_visibility": _get_option_val(profile_vis_opt),
+		"friends_list_visibility": _get_option_val(friends_vis_opt),
+		"favorites_visibility": _get_option_val(favorites_vis_opt),
+	}
+	var res: Dictionary = await _api_client.update_my_profile(null, null, privacy)
+	if res.ok:
+		show_message("Privacy settings updated!")
+	else:
+		show_message("Failed to update privacy: " + res.detail, true)
+
+
+func _set_option_val(opt: OptionButton, val: String) -> void:
+	if opt == null:
+		return
+	for i in range(opt.item_count):
+		if opt.get_item_text(i).to_lower() == val.to_lower():
+			opt.selected = i
+			return
+
+
+func _get_option_val(opt: OptionButton) -> String:
+	if opt == null or opt.selected < 0:
+		return "public"
+	return opt.get_item_text(opt.selected).to_lower().replace(" ", "_")
+
+
+func _clear_children(node: Node) -> void:
+	if node == null:
+		return
+	for c in node.get_children():
+		c.queue_free()
diff --git a/scripts/smoke_test_profile_ui.gd b/scripts/smoke_test_profile_ui.gd
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..c18016f
--- /dev/null
+++ b/scripts/smoke_test_profile_ui.gd
@@ -0,0 +1,80 @@
+extends SceneTree
+## Headless smoke test for ProfileUI scene and script.
+
+func _initialize() -> void:
+	_run()
+
+func _run() -> void:
+	await process_frame
+
+	print("SMOKE: Starting Profile UI verification...")
+	var scene_res := load("res://scenes/profile_ui.tscn")
+	if scene_res == null:
+		printerr("FAIL: Could not load res://scenes/profile_ui.tscn")
+		quit(1)
+		return
+
+	var ui: Control = scene_res.instantiate()
+	if ui == null:
+		printerr("FAIL: Could not instantiate ProfileUI")
+		quit(1)
+		return
+
+	root.add_child(ui)
+	await process_frame
+
+	# Verify essential nodes
+	if ui.username_label == null or ui.bio_edit == null:
+		printerr("FAIL: username_label or bio_edit is null")
+		quit(1)
+		return
+
+	if ui.privacy_vbox == null or ui.favorites_container == null or ui.friends_container == null:
+		printerr("FAIL: container nodes are null")
+		quit(1)
+		return
+
+	# Verify signal declaration
+	if not ui.has_signal("back_requested"):
+		printerr("FAIL: back_requested signal missing")
+		quit(1)
+		return
+
+	# Test card population
+	ui._populate_card(99, "TestExplorer", "Just another world builder", 12)
+	if ui.username_label.text != "TestExplorer" or ui.bio_edit.text != "Just another world builder":
+		printerr("FAIL: Card population failed")
+		quit(1)
+		return
+
+	print("PASS: Profile card population verified.")
+
+	# Test favorites population
+	var mock_favs := [
+		{"id": 1, "name": "Sunset Plains"},
+		{"id": 2, "name": "Neon City Rooftops"}
+	]
+	ui._populate_favorites(mock_favs)
+	if ui.favorites_container.get_child_count() != 2:
+		printerr("FAIL: Favorites count mismatch")
+		quit(1)
+		return
+
+	print("PASS: Favorites list population verified.")
+
+	# Test friends population
+	var mock_friends := [
+		{"id": 10, "username": "Alice"},
+		{"id": 20, "username": "Bob"}
+	]
+	ui._populate_friends(mock_friends)
+	if ui.friends_container.get_child_count() != 2:
+		printerr("FAIL: Friends list count mismatch")
+		quit(1)
+		return
+
+	print("PASS: Friends list population verified.")
+
+	ui.queue_free()
+	print("SMOKE RESULT: PASS")
+	quit(0)